Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world and has seen a rapid increase in Internet users over the past decade. The government has been making efforts to increase Internet access across the country, improve digital infrastructure, and support economic growth and diversification. This has led to a proliferation of mobile network operators (MNOs) that offer several SIM cards for use with Internet-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
This article evaluates a few of the popular SIM cards that offer Internet services in Saudi Arabia, to help you find the best one for your needs.
Overview of Internet Usage in Saudi Arabia
In 2019, Saudi Arabia had an estimated 34 million Internet users, representing 96% of the population. The average mobile broadband speed was estimated to be around 29.1 Mbps, which is relatively fast. YouTube is the most popular social network in Saudi Arabia, with around 73% of Internet users accessing the video-sharing site. WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook are among the other popular social networks in the country.
Read more: IT Solution Companies in Saudi Arabia
Comparison of popular Sims for Internet
STC is one of the most popular MNOs in Saudi Arabia and offers various packages, including prepaid and postpaid options. The 5G network covers almost all of Saudi’s urban areas and some remote places. STC’s packages come with unlimited data and calling minutes.
Zain KSA is another popular MNO. The company has a reliable 4G network that covers most of the country.
Mobily is the third-largest MNO in Saudi Arabia and offers various packages, including prepaid and postpaid options. The company has a strong 4G network that covers more than 99% of the populated areas in the kingdom.
STC Internet
STC is one of the most popular MNOs in Saudi Arabia and offers various packages, including prepaid and postpaid options. The 4G LTE network covers almost all of Saudi’s urban areas and some remote places. STC’s packages come with unlimited data and calling minutes.
STC also offers packages for postpaid customers. These packages start at SAR 400 and go up to SAR 2,000. Postpaid customers have the option to get a phone and a SIM card on a two-year contract. STC’s online portal also offers users the ability to manage their accounts, check their balances, and recharge their accounts.
| Data Allowance | Price with VAT | Validity | Activation to 900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25GB + 50GB streaming | 115 SR | Valid for 1 months | 2743 |
| 80GB + 80GB streaming | 253 SR | Valid for 2 months | 2744 |
| 100GB + 100GB streaming | 368 SR | Valid for 3 month | 2745 |
| 10GB | 201.25 SR | Valid for 3 months | 2722 |
| 300GB | 517.50 SR | Valid for 3 months | 2728 |
| 100GB+19GB Social Media | 195.5 SR | Valid for 1 month | 2734 |
| 500GB | 862.5 SR | Valid for 6 months | 2731 |
| Unlimited | 373.75 SR | Valid for 1 month | 2726 |
| Unlimited | 109.25 SR | Valid for 1 week | 2730 |
| Unlimited | 1121.25 SR | Valid for 3 months | 2739 |
| Unlimited | 23 SR | Valid for 1 day | Through Mystc app |
Zain KSA Internet
Zain KSA is another popular MNO. The company has a reliable 4G network that covers most of the country. Its packages range depending on data needs. They offer a no-bill shock guarantee, so users never have to worry about bill overages.
Zain KSA also offers prepaid packages for visitors to the country. These packages offer unlimited data, and the top-up prices start at SAR 20. These packages are ideal for tourists and business travelers who need to stay connected during their stay in the country. To check how to cancel Zain package?
Zain Prepaid Data Package:
| Prepaid Data | Price with VAT | Validity | Activation to 959 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 GB + 25 GB Free Social | 113.85 SAR | 1 Month | 408 |
| 30 GB + 30 GB Free Social | 201.25 SAR | 3 Months | 409 |
| 75 GB + 75 GB Free Social | 228.85 SAR | 2 Months | 410 |
| 100 GB + 100 GB Free Social | 343.85 SAR | 3 Months | 421 |
| 100 GB | 184.00 SAR | 1 Month | 411 |
| 300 GB | 517.50 SAR | 3 Months | 414 |
| Unlimited | 373.75 SAR | 1 Month | 416 |
Mobily Internet
Mobily is the third-largest MNO in Saudi Arabia and offers various packages, including prepaid and postpaid options. The company has a strong 4G network that covers more than 99% of the populated areas in the kingdom. Mobily’s packages range from SAR 5 to SAR 300, depending on data needs. The SAR 150 package is the company’s most popular package, which offers users 100 GB data, unlimited calls, and SMS for a month.
Also Mobily offers prepaid packages for visitors to the country. These packages range from SAR 15 to SAR 200 and come with varying data limits, from 2 GB to 100 GB. Visitors can purchase these SIM cards at the airport or at any Mobily store.
Mobily Prepaid Data with Voice package
| Prepaid Data | Voice | Price whiteout VAT | Validity | Activation to 1100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB, 1 GB Social Media | 100 minutes all networks | 30 SAR | 4 weeks | 30 |
| 5 GB, 5+5 GB Social Media | 500 minutes all networks | 75 SAR | 4 weeks | 75 |
| 10 GB, 15 GB Social Media | 1500 minutes all networks | 110 SAR | 4 weeks | 110 |
| 20+20 GB, Unlimited Social Media | 3000 minutes all networks | 150 SAR | 4 weeks | 150 |
| 50+30 GB, Unlimited Social Media | Unlimited all networks | 180 SAR | 4 weeks | 180 |
| 100 GB, Unlimited Social Media | Unlimited all networks | 220 SAR | 4 weeks | 220 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited all networks | 360 SAR | 4 weeks | 360 |
| 2 GB, 2 GB Social Media | 100 all networks | 25 SAR | week | 25 |
| Unlimited | 50 all networks | 20 SAR | Day | 20 |
Virgin Mobile Internet
Virgin Mobile other kown as Friendi is a newer MNO in Saudi Arabia but is quickly becoming popular. They offer various prepaid packages that start at SAR 30 and can go up to SAR 200, depending on data needs. The packages come with unlimited local calling minutes and data, as well as some international minutes and SMS.
Friendi also offers international calling packages for people who frequently call their family and friends back home. The international packages are affordable and can be added to any of the prepaid packages.
FRiENDi Data package:
| Prepaid Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 30 MB | 1.99 SAR | 1 Day |
| 100 MB | 4.99 SAR | 3 Days |
| 500 MB | 8.50 SAR | 7 Days |
| 1 GB | 12.99 SAR | 10 Days |
| 2 GB | 17.00 SAR | 21 Days |
| 1.5+0.4 GB | 25.99 SAR | 30 Days |
| 2.5+1 GB | 39.99 SAR | 30 Days |
| 13 GB | 55.00 SAR | 30 Days |
| 40 GB | 85.00 SAR | 30 Days |
| 20 + 40 GB | 99.00 SAR | 30 Days |
| Unlimited Data | 325.00 SAR | 30 Days |
| 10 GB | 110.00 SAR | 90 Days |
| 30 + 20 GB | 175.00 SAR | 90 Days |
| 50+25 GB | 260.00 SAR | 90 Days |
| 00+100 GB | 330.00 SAR | 90 Days |
| 300 GB | 450.00 SAR | 90 Days |
To activate the data package dial *108# and follow the instruction. Check more offer
Lebara KSA
Lebara is another new MNO in Saudi Arabia that offers affordable prepaid packages. Also Lebara offers international calling and messaging packages, making it easy for people to stay in touch with their loved ones back home. These packages can be added to any of the prepaid packages.
1 Day Lebara Data Package
| Prepaid Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | 5 SAR | Dial *666*24# |
| 1 GB | 10 SAR | Dial *666*301# |
| 5 GB | 15 SAR | Dial *777*51# |
| YouTube Unlimited | 9.99 SAR | Dial *777*019# |
| Unlimited Social Media | 5.99 SAR | Dial *666*001# |
| Unlimited | 19 SAR | Dial *777*01# |
Weekly Lebara Data Package
| Prepaid Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MB | 2 SAR | Dial *777*030# |
| 500 MB | 10 SAR | Dial *777*200# |
| 3GB + 3GB Social | 25 SAR | Dial *666*3000# |
| 10 GB | 35 SAR | Dial *666*010# |
| Unlimited Social | 29.99 SAR | Dial *666*007# |
| Unlimited Data | 99 SAR | Dial *777*07# |
| 15 GB, 14 Days | 50 SAR | Dial *777*150# |
| 20 GB, 14 Days | 60 SAR | Dial *777*2014# |
Monthly Lebara Data Package
| Prepaid Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | 28 SAR | Dial *777*1000# |
| 4 GB | 45 SAR | Dial *777*2000# |
| 10GB + 10GB Social (Promo) | 65 SAR | Dial *777*10240# |
| 25 GB | 95 SAR | Dial *777*2500# |
| 50GB + 10GB + 10GB Social (Promo) | 115 SAR | Dial *777*050# |
| 100 GB | 175 SAR | Dial *777*100# |
| Unlimited Data | 345 SAR | Dial *777*30# |
3 Monthly Lebara Data Package
| Prepaid Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GB, 85 Days | 110 SAR | Dial *777*10000# |
| 20 GB | 175 SAR | Dial *777*20000# |
| 50 GB | 260 SAR | Dial *777*50000# |
| 100 GB | 330 SAR | Dial *777*01000# |
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best SIM for Internet access in Saudi Arabia will depend on your specific needs and budget. However, STC, Zain KSA, and Mobily are all popular MNOs that offer reliable Internet services across the country. Friendi and Lebara are newer entrants that are quickly becoming popular, offering various affordable prepaid packages. Whatever your needs, be sure to research and compare packages to find the one that offers you the best value for money.